Pleasant Vy. School District residents voice displeasure over raised taxes

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

By LINDA KOEHLER lkoehler@tnonline.com

Three residents of Pleasant Valley School District addressed the PV school board with their concerns about the increase in their property taxes.

Denise Schriver of Eldred Township asked for answers for why her property tax bill went up five percent.

"That's a substantial jump. Over the last few years, there has been a continual increase and its forcing people to leave the area. I know you closed Eldred school and it was supposed to be a savings. What happened?" Schriver asked.

Susan Kresge, PVSD school board president said she wished Schriver had been to the meeting when a presentation was given on the 2010-2011 budget.

"Our electric bill went up and there's been an increase in the PSERs rate, a major one," said Kresge. "The PSERs is one we have no control over. You should talk to your elected officials."

Shriver said, "You are elected officials. I'm asking you for answers."

Kresge invited Schriver to make an appointment with Dr. Arnold to discuss her concerns.

The Pleasant Valley School District's board of directors approved the 2010-11 General Fund Budget at the June 24 school board meeting. The new budget increased by 7.790 mills for a total of 143.290 mills in property tax.

Schriver asked what happened to the teachers that had been at Eldred.

Dr. Arnold said that 28 teachers in the district resigned and two were terminated and the Eldred teachers filled those empty slots.

"I heard there was going to be an increase in next year's budget," said Schriver.

Dr. Arnold told her that they haven't even discussed next year's budget yet but he would be more than willing to meet with her after the meeting to answer any questions she might have.

Aida Igartua of Chestnuthill told the board that when she moved here her taxes were $5,300 and this year they are now $6,385. She has an autistic 44-year-old son and if they were to move, he would lose the special program he is in.

"It's so out of control. Where I live, the people are talking about their taxes. It's a hole you keep digging for us. People don't get raises," she said.

Frank Magliola of Eldred Township told the board that he was 67 years old and would like to retire but he pays two mortgages, one for his house and the other to Eldred Township. He wanted to know about the help taxpayers was supposed to get from gambling money.

Kresge told him he should have received $450 and it was deducted from his tax bill.

School board director Thomas Murphy said the economy is a national issue.

"We have no control. The electric bill is going up since deregulation. We're doing everything we can. We try to keep the taxes as low as we can. We live here, too. It affects all of us. We understand."

In his report, Christopher Fisher, assistant to the superintendent for professional and support services, stated that since the district went to a four-day, 10-hour-a-day workweek for the summer, even with a hot summer, they used 20 percent less electric than the previous summer, which resulted in a significant savings of $12,000.

Kresge asked if there was any way to find out if the administrative staff, buildings and maintenance and custodial staff are on track for the new school year and Fisher said everyone was on track.

*Wednesday, Aug. 1810 a.m. and 1 p.m. is PVE, Chestnuthill and Polk "Find Your Classroom" Day and 6 p.m. is PV Cyber Academy Open House at the high school new auditorium; 6:30 p.m. is PVE Kindergarten orientation and bus ride